Cattle Concepts June Issue #10

CONCEPTS

Market Report

DROUGHT MANAGEMENT

DROUGHT CONDITIONS BEGINNING TO TAKE TOLL ON ILLINOIS CATTLE FARMS

With over 50% of the state experiencing a D1 classification of Moderate Drought, some producers are turning to supplemental feeding due to reduced forage. Current situations and outlooks from the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) predict that drought conditions will persist and even develop throughout Illinois.

It’s been more than a decade since Illinois has had widespread drought causing an impact on farming and livestock production in so many counties, and producers’ drought management plans might be a little dusty or even non-existent. While some clusters of counties have seen drought conditions over the last few years, central and northern Illinois livestock producers, for example, now find themselves evaluating management practices in the face of extreme conditions. Across the state, producers should have a plan in place to minimize the effects of drought on the herd and the farm’s finances.

Cattle feeders and stocker operations are facing the impact of the drought conditions, as further pressure gets applied to already tight cattle supplies. Backgrounders grazing cattle are also experiencing rapidly deteriorating pasture conditions in many parts of the state, and there are reasonable fears that overall feed costs could continue to climb with crop impacts seen in many corn growing states.

One strategy that can aid cow-calf operations in alleviating some of the pressure on pastures is early weaning, according to University of Illinois Extension beef educator Travis Meteer. He says weaning early can decrease the energy needs in your cows and eliminate the nutritional demands of lactation. Lowering the nutrient requirements of your cow is one of several benefits of early weaning, along with improving cow condition, calf performance and carcass quality, and even conception rates if weaning before breeding back.

LOOKING FORWARD

Illinois State Fair Illinois State Fairgrounds

Springfield, IL

August 10-20, 2023

Seedstock Report

Illinois Farm Service Agency State Executive Director Scott Halpin, a Grundy County beef producer, says access to federal drought programs follow guidelines on a county-by-county basis. Limited grazing on CRP acres, for example, first occurs in counties that have experienced severe (D-2) or extreme (D-3) drought conditions over an extended number of weeks. Several western counties are most likely to qualify first, based on how drought has spread across the state, but are likely still a couple of weeks away from qualifying. Baling on CRP acres cannot occur until after the federal government’s August 1 nesting date for wildlife habitat. Farmers are encouraged to contact their local FSA office or visit the following link for more information on program eligibility: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/

Another option evaluated by many producers during persistent drought is supplemental feeding with by-product feeds that tend to be cheaper per unit of energy. Grain mixes can be fed in limited feeding situations with higher levels of management and grain/roughage mixes can be fed on a free-choice ration with a well-balanced formula. Also consider liquid supplementation, molasses or protein blocks, or even range cubes. Producers are encouraged to check with a nutritionist or feed company representative to understand the best options for supplementation in their rations.

EDGE Conference

University of Illinois

Thursday, July 20, 2023

EDGE is a one-day junior conference open to all Illinois Junior Beef Association members. In 2023, participants will deep dive into all aspects of cattle management. From selecting an animal, managing a herd health plan, full-scale nutrition planning, and cattle marketing tactics. This will be accomplished through instruction from industry-leading professionals and the interactive management of individual animals!

Producer Events

DeKalb-Kane Cattlemen’s Association

DeKalb-Kane Cattlemen’s is still running their Beef Passport through June, encouraging consumers to eat local and eat beef!

Heartland Beef Alliance

Beef Handling Tour

June 24, 2023

Heartland Beef Alliance is hosting a tour of beef handling facilities on June 24, 2023. All beef producers, no matter where you live, are invited to see the various ways beef producers have set-up their chutes, alleys and pens to handle beef cattle both indoors and outdoors. There will be five stops. Feel free to join at any time. Stops include:

Gary Walter’s - Delavan, IL

Mike & Kay Mason’s - Emden, IL

Pech Herefords - Atlanta, IL

AJ Angus - Atlanta, IL

Pech Herefords - Lincoln, IL

Any questions prior to or on June 24, contact Betsy Pech 217-737-7715.

SALES REPORTS SOURCED FROM USDA AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICES

by Devin Bollman

SEND SALES REPORTS AND UPCOMING SALE INFORMATION TO DEVIN@ILLINOISBEEF.COM

2023 Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting San DIego, CA July 24-26, 2023